Emser Tile Gives $250,000 Gift for New Campus

Partner Sam Ghodsian made the announcement at the July 17 West Hollywood City Council meeting.

“We had heard about the building as it was being designed and considered bidding on the project,” Ghodsian explains.

But after hearing a speech at a fundraiser for West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman, the company decided to go in a different direction.

“(Heilman) gave a short talk about the haves and the have nots and there was something in what he said that affected me deeply,” says Ghodsian.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity for us to do something and I thought instead of bidding, we’d donate it. We’ve been in the West Hollywood area since before cityhood (in 1984) and have benefitted a lot from the LGBT community and I thought it would be a good idea to pay that back.”

The first-of-its-kind complex in Hollywood will offer comprehensive multi-generational services and housing, including 135 units of affordable housing for seniors and youth, 100 beds for homeless youth, new youth and senior centers, and much more.

The official groundbreaking for the ambitious project took place in March.

Of the new campus Ghodsian says: “It looks aesthetically beautiful – especially the main building. It seems like it’s going to help a lot of people.”

Emser Tile is the largest privately-held designer and marketer of tile and natural stone in the United States and was established in 1968.

“Emser’s generosity is incredibly inspiring and a wonderful surprise,” says Bill McDermott, the Center’s Chief Development Officer. “It’s only because of the support of companies like Emser, and the more than 100 people who have made pledges so far, that the Anita May Rosenstein Campus will become a reality. We’re enormously grateful.”

Twenty-one years ago today, in full-page newspaper ads, the Los Angeles LGBT Center blasted Newt Gingrich, then the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, for planning a Congressional inquiry...